Package for pencil leads



Nov. 27, 1934.

H. H. LANG PACKAGE FOR PENCIL LEADS Filed Feb. 23, 1932 jie Patented Nov. 27, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Rite Mfg. 00., Illinois Chicago, 111., a corporation of Application February 23, 1932, Serial No. 594,435 1 Claim.- (Cl. 206-67) This invention relates to a novel and improved package for pencil leads and the like, particularly those designed for use in mechanical pencils, and consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In packages of the kind heretofore made, separate compartments are provided for each of the several contained leads, each compartment be ing in the form of a narrow channel or groove of a length, width and depth to receive and confine the lead so that it will not break when the package is jarred or dropped. The leads are removable from the package laterally through the open sides of the channels, which are all uncovered when the package is opened. As a result, it is difficult to remove a single lead, as by turning the package upside down, to permit the lead to drop into the palm of the hand without dislodging all the leads in the package at the same time. This is apt to require replacing all the leads except the one that is to be removed, which is awkward and frequently results in breakage.

The object of my invention is to provide a package of simple and economical construction to be made at small cost, designed to contain a plurality of pencil leads severally disposed in channels or compartments and so confined there- 30 in that any lead may be removed from its respective channel or compartment without opening up the channels or compartments of the other leads contained in the package.

The advantages of the invention will appear more fully as I proceed with my specification.

In the drawing:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved package as it appears when closed with the several leads it is designed to carry, contained therein.

Figure 2 is a like perspective view but with one lead compartment or channel opened and showing a lead partially withdrawn therefrom.

Figure 3 is a view representing on an exaggerated scale a longitudinal section through the package.

Figure 4 is a view representing a transverse section through Figure 3 in a plane indicated by the line 44 thereof.

a Figure 5 is a perspective view on a smaller scale showing a modified form of the invention.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional perspective view on a larger scale of the modification shown in Figure 5,the section being indicated by the line 66 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is another transverse sectional view showing a still further modified construction.

Referring now to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing:l0 indicates the finished package as it appears when closed 6W and containing the leads it is designed to carry.

11 indicates an elongated block made of wood or other suitable material, which is slightly longer than the leads which the package is designed to contain. Said block is or" a width depending upon 6 the number of leads to be held by the package, being designed in the case illustrated to hold three leads. The block is sawed or otherwise. treated to provide a plurality of parallel spaced channels or grooves 12, one for each lead, running the entire length or" the block and opening through one end 11a thereof. In practice and when made of wood, the block may be conveniently sawed to form the grooves 12, which may then open through both ends of the block, namely, the end 11a and as shown, the end 11b. Said channels are of such depth and width as to readily receive and retain the several leads without binding. As shown, the channels are rectangular in cross section, but the form of said section is not important and will depend largely upon the material of which the block is made and the method or means by which the channels are formed.

.13 indicates an envelope which is designed to close the openings of the several channels 12 through the face of the block and also to close the open ends of said channels. Said envelope may be conveniently made from a sheet of paper or other light flexible material and is preferably and for purposes of appearance wrapped about the top, bottom, sides and ends of the block. The ends of the channels opening through the end 111) of the block are closed by a flap 14. At the end 11a of the block, which as will presently appear, is the end through which the several leads are designed to be removed from the package, the envelope 13 is provided with fiaps 15, one for each channel in the block. Said flaps are folded over the end 11a of the block and are then folded down and secured to the top face 13a of the envelope by means of glue or other adhesive, leaving, however, a short extension 16 of each flap free of such adhesion. By grasping the free extension 16, the respective flaps 15 may be torn away to open the associated groove or compartment, as shown in Figure 2. The package may be then inclined in such manner as to permit the lead in said compartment to fall by gravity through the open end of the channel rounding the block, there is provided a tape or strip somewhat narrower than the block, but broad enough to cover the several channels or grooves, which is wrapped lengthwise about the block. In said figures, 11a indicates theblock and 12a the several grooves or channels therein to receive the leads. -13b indicates a strip of fibrous material, such as paper or the like, which is wrapped lengthwise about the block. Preferably the block is provided with recesses 17 on its top. and bottom faces running lengthwise'of the block and of a depth equal to the thickness of the strip of fibrous material. As a result, when the strip is wrapped about the block, as

described, itsouter face will be flush with the.

marginal faces of the block, as clearly shown in Figure 6.

-One end ofthe strip l3b,namely the end at that'end of the block through which the grooves or channels open for the discharge of the leads,

is provided with flaps 15a severed the one from the other and one for each channel in the block. I

Said flaps are folded over the end of the block as in the other case and are then folded down and adhered to the top face of the strip 13b which lies over and covers the channels 12a. As before, however, short extensions 16a of each flap are left free of such adhesion, to be grasped when a flap is to be torn away to expose an opening for the discharge of a lead.

In Figure '7 is shown a construction in which the wrapper maybe made of any gummed tape suitable for the purpose. In such case, as the part of the gummed tape which overlies the respective leads might come into contact with the sides of said leads and be adhered thereto, I prefer to make the top recess in the block somewhat deeper to permit the insertion of a strip of cardboard or paper, which overlies the lead channels This prevents contact of the gummed tape with the leads. The adherence of the tape to the bottom side and ends of the block will be sufiicient tohold the tape securely in place there- I claim as my invention:- .A package for leads comprising an elongated comparatively thin wood block grooved on one side to provide channels. opening through the ends .of the block, an envelope for saidblock made of thin, flexiblematerial wrapped-about the block to close said open channels attheir sides and ends, said envelope including a part folded about an end of the blo'ck'and down upon one face adjacent saidend, said part being split 1 to provide a flap for each channel and the ends of said split parts being adheredto said-face except at their ends where they are free to be I severally grasped. 1

I HERBERT H. LANG. 

